Container with removable pump

ABSTRACT

A container having a pump mounted thereon wherein the container has an open top for receiving a tube coupled to the pump. The pump is disposed externally of the container and has means thereon for releasably attaching the lower end of the pump at the container top. The pump is constructed to allow a predetermined volume of the contents of the container to be dispensed therefrom for each stroke of the pump.

Tinited States Patent CONTAINER WITH REMOVABLE PUMP [76] Inventor:Marshall R. Blum, c/o Gable Sales Company, 1224 Mariposa, San Francisco,Calif.

[22] Filed: Mar. 22, 1972 21 Appl. No.: 237,211

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation of Ser. No. 42,418, June1, 1970,

abandoned.

[52] US. Cl 222/321, 222/380, 222/382, 222/383 [51] Int. Cl B67d 5/42[58] Field of Search 222/372, 380, 383, 321, 222/382, 384, 566, 567,569; 277/178 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,817,6738/1931 Buttner 222/383 X 2,521,961 9/1950 Bachel1er.... 222/3212,619,914 12/1952 Dobkin 222/383 X 2,774,517 12/1956 Teegardin et a1222/380 X Oct. 29, 1974 2,818,201 12/1957 Peck 222/383 X 3,198,4008/1965 Roehrich 222/321 X 3,282,472 11/1966 Roder 222/380 X 3,406,90910/1968 Pfeiffer 222/321 X 3,563,557 2/1971 Doutt 277/178 FORElGNPATENTS OR APPLlCATIONS 336,931 2/1936 ltaly 222/383 PrimaryExaminer-Robert B. Reeves Assistant ExaminerChar1es A. Marmor Attorney,Agent, or FirmTownsend & Townsend [5 7 ABSTRACT A container having apump mounted thereon wherein the container has an open top for receivinga tube coupled to the pump. The pump is disposed externally of thecontainer and has means thereon for releasably attaching the lower endof the pump at the container top. The pump is constructed to allow apredetermined volume of the contents of the container to be dispensedtherefrom for each stroke of the pump.

3 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures CONTAINER WITH REMOVABLE IPUMIP Thisapplication is a continuation of application Ser. No. 42,418 filed JuneI, 1970, now abandoned.

This invention relates to improvements in the dispensing of materialsfrom containers and, more particularly, to a container having anexternal pump releasably attached thereto.

In dispensing milk or other liquid food products from containers, it isoftentimes desirable to draw out a predetermined volume of the containercontents so as to be able to fill glasses, cups and the like which arelimited in size and can contain only a limited volume of liquid. It isalso desirable that a suitable pump be provided for such a container soas to be able to dispense a predetermined volume of the containercontents for each stroke of the pump and to permit the pump to bemounted on the container so that it does not extend into the container.This latter feature assures that the predetermined volume of thecontainer contents can be dispensed by the pump without requiring arelatively long pump inasmuch as the pump can be larger than the openingin the container tip and thereby be made of a size sufficient to pumpthe predetermined volume. Also, by releasably connecting the pump to thecontainer, the pump can be cleaned and reused after the container hasbeen emptied.

The present invention is directed to the combination of a containerhaving an open top and a pump releasably connected to the containerwherein the pump is disposed externally of the container and has a sizegreater than the opening so that the pump need not extend into thecontainer and upwardly therefrom through a relatively long distance.This feature assures that the pump chamber can be of a size sufficientto permit a predetermined volume of the material in the container to bedispensed therefrom for each stroke of the pump. To this end, the pumpis provided with a structure on its lower end for releasably attachingit to the container at the open top thereof. Also, the pump has a tubewhich extends into the container so as to draw out the contents thereineach time the pump is actuated. The container can be of any suitableconstruction, such as a glass jar or a disposable, plastic-coated papercontainer of the type used for milk products. The pump can be of simpleconstruction and can be readily secured to and removed from thecontainer. Also, it can be formed from parts which are readily separatedfrom each other and quickly reassembled to allow for frequent cleaning.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a container having anopen top and a pump releasably connected to the container incommunication with the open top wherein the pump is disposed externallyof the container and is larger in size than the open top so as to assurethat a predetermined volume of material can be pumped out of thecontainer for each stroke of the pump without the need for a relativelylong pump of the type which extends into the container and upwardlytherefrom through a relatively long distance.

Another object of this invention is to provide a container and pumpcombination of the type described wherein the pump has means thereon formaking a releasable connection with the container in surroundingrelationship to the open top thereof and the pump can be quicklyassembled and disassembled so that it can be frequently cleaned tothereby render it suitable for use in dispensing food products from acontainer.

Other objects of this invention will become apparent as the followingspecification progresses, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawing for an illustration of the invention.

In the drawing:

FIG. I is a perspective view of a container and pump combination formingone embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of thecombination of FIG. I; and

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a second embodiment ofthe combination.

The first embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. l and 2 andincludes a container 10, a pump 12 and a means 14 on the pump forreleasably securing the pump to the container adjacent to the open top16 thereof. The container comprises a jar of glass or other suitablematerial, the jar having a neck 18 which terminates at the open top 16and, for purposes of illustration only, is of a reduced cross sectionrelative to the larger portion of the jar. The outer surface of the neckis provided with the threads to threadably receive a lid to close thejar. Other jar configurations can be used as desired.

Pump 12 has a cylindrical housing 20 which is larger in diameter thanthe open top 16 of the jar. The housing has a bottom wall 22 intergralwith its sidewall 23 and provided with a central, tubular extension 24which projects downwardly therefrom. A beveled surface 26 in bottom 22is aligned with extension 24 and provides a seat for a ball valve 28. Atube 30 is pressfitted in extension 24 and depends therefrom. Tube 30 isadapted to be inserted into container 10 and is preferably of a lengthto extend substantially to the bottom of the container.

A circular piston 32 is disposed within housing 20 and slidably engagesthe inner surface 34 of sidewall 23, whereby the piston can moveupwardly and downwardly within the chamber enclosed by the sidewall. Ashaft 36 is coupled to the center of the piston and extends upwardlytherefrom through a hole 38 and a cap 39 is removably mounted on theupper end of housing 20. The shaft is shiftable relative to the cap sothat piston 32 can be manually raised and lowered. The cap can beprovided with threads or other structure which permits it to bereleasably connected to the sidewall 23 which allows quick disassemblyof the pump for cleanmg.

A nozzle 40 is removably connected to the upper end of shaft 36. To thisend, nozzle 40 has a sleeve 42 which slides on to the upper end of theshaft and a laterally projecting section 44 is integral with sleeve 42.Section 44 has a fluid passage 46 therethrough which communicates with aspace 48 formed in nozzle 40 adjacent to the upper end of shaft 36.Nozzle 40 has an open outer end 41, whereby fluid can exit therefrom. Aball valve 52 is disposed within space 48 for closing the upper end ofpassage 37. To this end, shaft 36 has a concave seat 54 for ball valve52.

Connecting means 14 includes an annular skirt 56 rigidly connected tosidewall 23 and extending downwardly therefrom in surrounding relationto extension 24. Skirt 56 is adapted to be threadably connected withneck I8 whereby the container and the pump can be coupled together.

In operation, pump 12 is assembled in the manner shown in FIG. 2. Itwill first be connected by means of skirt 56 to container with tube 30extending into the container. The pump and the container will then formthe dispensing unit.

The contents of the container are drawn out of the same by liftingnozzle 40 to cause piston 32 to rise within the space defined bysidewall 23. When this occurs, a suction is created in the region belowthe piston and the container contents rise in tube 30 and unseat ballvalve 28 so that the contents can flow into the region below the pistonas it continues to rise. At the top of its stroke the pump is actuatedby forcing nozzle downwardly. This causes the liquid below the piston torise in passage 37 and to cause ball valve 28 to close the upper end ofextension 24. As the liquid rises in passage 37, it unseats ball valve52, flows into space 48, through passage 46, and out the same throughopen end 40. The pump is again charged with liquid from the container bymoving nozzle 40 and thereby piston 32 in the manner described above.Each time the pump is actuated, it dispenses a predetermined volume ofliquid until the container is emptied.

When the container is emptied, the pump can be removed therefrom anddisassembled for cleaning. Sleeve 42 can be removed form shaft 36, cap39 can be separated form the pump housing, and tube 30 can be separatedfrom extension 24. All of these parts can then be cleaned individuallyand reassembled, whereupon the pump is ready for use again with a fullcontainer.

FIG. 3 illustrates the use of another type of container as a part of thecombination of this invention. To this end, a container 60 is provided,the container being of the disposable type conventionally used forcontaining milkproducts. lt includes four walls and a top having a pairof sloping top sections which terminate at a centrally disposed,upwardly extending seal extension 62. Pump 12 is removably connected tocontainer 60 by a suitable attachment 64 which has a tubular neck 66adapted to be aligned with a hole in the top of the container when theattachment is releasably secured in any suitable manner to sealextension 62. Neck 66 is provided with an annular, upright projection 68which is threadably connected to skirt 56 to interconnect pump 12 andneck 66.

Pump 12 is used with container 60 in the same manner as it is withcontainer 10. The container top will have been provided with a holetherein to accommodate tube 30 of the pump before the pump is connectedto neck 66.

What is claimed is:

l. A manually reciprocable pump for dispensing the contents of acontainer having an outlet, said pump comprising:

a housing having an open upper end, sidewalls defining a chamber and alower end, an integrally formed downwardly depending internally threadedannular skirt on the lower end thereof adapted to be coupled to saidcontainer for mounting said pump thereabove, said housing having a lowerwall member integrally formed with said sidewalls and positioned withinsaid annular skirt, said lower wall member having an integrally formedoutwardly extending tubular inlet member centrally located within saidskirt and provided with a first valve seat on the inner side thereof;

an inlet tube coupled to said inlet member and having a distal endadapted to be immersed in said contents;

a closure cap releasably secured to said upper end of said housing, saidclosure cap having a central aperture therein;

a manually reciprocable hollow shaft having an upper end and a lowerend, said shaft being slideably received in said central aperture;

an annular piston secured to the lower end of said hollow shaft, saidpiston having a peripheral groove and a sealing member mounted in saidgroove in sealing contact with the walls of said chamber, the combineddiameter of said piston and said sealing member being no less than thediameter of said container outlet, said piston having a central bore forproviding fluid communication between the interior of said shaft and thevolume below said piston;

a first one-way valve located in said chamber between said piston andsaid first valve seat, said first valve permitting flow from said inlettube to said chamber when said piston is translated away from said inlettube in response to upward movement of said shaft;

the upper end of said shaft being provided with a second valve seat;

a nozzle including a hollow sleeve releasably connected to said upperend of said shaft and a projecting section integral with said sleeve andextending laterally outwardly therefrom, said section including a fluidpassage communicating through said sleeve with said shaft for dispensingmaterial from said chamber through said shaft; and

a second one-way valve positioned within said hollow sleeve incooperative relation with said second valve seat, said second valvepermitting flow from said chamber through said nozzle when said pistonis translated toward said inlet tube in response to downward movement ofsaid shaft;

the structure of said pump as defined herein permitting faciledisassembly and assembly thereof and enabling said pump to be quicklyattached to said container; and

an intermediate attachment member for coupling said pump to anassociated carton having a V- shaped sloping top closure member with acentral upstanding rib, said attachment member comprising a unitary basemember having a lower surface conformable with said sloping top closuremember for embracing said rib, and a tubular neck secured to saidsurface laterally of said rib when said attachment member is received onsaid carton, said neck having a lower end adapted to be received by anaperture in said top closure member and a threaded upper end coupled tosaid annular skirt, whereby said pump is secured to said attachmentmember.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said first and second valves eachcomprise a ball freely disposed adjacent the associated valve seat.

3. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein the pump has apredetermined stroke, the pump being operable to dispense apredetermined volume of material from the container for each stroke ofthe pump.

1. A manually reciprocable pump for dispensing the contents of acontainer having an outlet, said pump comprising: a housing having anopen upper end, sidewalls defining a chamber and a lower end, anintegrally formed downwardly depending internally threaded annular skirton the lower end thereof adapted to be coupled to said container formounting said pump thereabove, said housing having a lower wall memberintegrally formed with said sidewalls and positioned within said annularskirt, said lower wall member having an integrally formed outwardlyextending tubular inlet member centrally located within said skirt andprovided with a first valve seat on the inner side thereof; an inlettube coupled to said inlet member and having a distal end adapted to beimmersed in said contents; a closure cap releasably secured to saidupper end of said housing, said closure cap having a central aperturetherein; a manually reciprocable hollow shaft having an upper end and alower end, said shaft being slideably received in said central aperture;an annular piston secured to the lower end of said hollow shaft, saidpiston having a peripheral groove and a sealing member mounted in saidgroove in sealing contact with the walls of said chamber, the combineddiameter of said piston and said sealing member being no less than thediameter of said container outlet, said piston having a central bore forproviding fluid communication between the interior of said shaft and thevolume below said piston; a fiRst one-way valve located in said chamberbetween said piston and said first valve seat, said first valvepermitting flow from said inlet tube to said chamber when said piston istranslated away from said inlet tube in response to upward movement ofsaid shaft; the upper end of said shaft being provided with a secondvalve seat; a nozzle including a hollow sleeve releasably connected tosaid upper end of said shaft and a projecting section integral with saidsleeve and extending laterally outwardly therefrom, said sectionincluding a fluid passage communicating through said sleeve with saidshaft for dispensing material from said chamber through said shaft; anda second one-way valve positioned within said hollow sleeve incooperative relation with said second valve seat, said second valvepermitting flow from said chamber through said nozzle when said pistonis translated toward said inlet tube in response to downward movement ofsaid shaft; the structure of said pump as defined herein permittingfacile disassembly and assembly thereof and enabling said pump to bequickly attached to said container; and an intermediate attachmentmember for coupling said pump to an associated carton having a V-shapedsloping top closure member with a central upstanding rib, saidattachment member comprising a unitary base member having a lowersurface conformable with said sloping top closure member for embracingsaid rib, and a tubular neck secured to said surface laterally of saidrib when said attachment member is received on said carton, said neckhaving a lower end adapted to be received by an aperture in said topclosure member and a threaded upper end coupled to said annular skirt,whereby said pump is secured to said attachment member.
 2. Thecombination of claim 1 wherein said first and second valves eachcomprise a ball freely disposed adjacent the associated valve seat. 3.The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein the pump has apredetermined stroke, the pump being operable to dispense apredetermined volume of material from the container for each stroke ofthe pump.